First Round | Picks 21-32
21) Miami Dolphins – Rashod Bateman, WR, MinnesotaÂ
The Dolphins need to get Tua Tagovailoa some weapons. DeVante Parker is the team’s leading reciever, and he’s on pace for just 862 yards this season. The Dolphins receiving core is statistically one of the worst in the NFL. They need to do better for their young quarterback.
Rashod Bateman is averaging just over 100 yards per game over the first three games of the season. He uses his physicality, route-running ability, and strong hands to bully opposing corners every time he steps on the field. He lacks above-average speed, which limits his ceiling, but he doesn’t need it to become a number one receiver in the NFL. He’s a reliable possession receiver who can make something happen after the catch, and that’s more than the Dolphins have right now.
22) Jacksonville Jaguars (Via Los Angeles Rams) – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Jaguars haven’t gotten production from the tight end spot in years. The last time they had a tight end put up 500 yards receiving was 2012. Kyle Pitts would give them arguably the best receiving tight end the team has ever had.
Pitts is a threat. His athleticism and route-running ability rivals that of the top wide receivers in this class. He can get vertical for big plays, he’s not afraid to work the middle of the field and take a hit, and he’s capable of taking a short pass for big gains. Pitts is a matchup nightmare all over the field. He needs to work on his blocking, but his receiving ability more than makes up for his deficiencies as a blocker.
23) Las Vegas Raiders – Patrick Jones II, EDGE, PittsburghÂ
Maxx Crosby has five sacks this season; nobody else on the Raiders has more than 1.5. It’s hard to keep Crosby on the field the whole game when he’s a horrendous run defender. The Raiders need to admit they made a mistake with Clelin Ferrell and make a move for a polished edge rusher in this class to play opposite Crosby. Patrick Jones II can be that guy.
Pittsburgh’s star edge rusher has eight sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in eight games this season. He’s been living in the backfield all year. Jones possesses above-average athleticism with solid technique to go with it, making him arguably the most polished edge rusher in his class. Jones’ high floor is exactly what the Raiders need opposite Crosby.
24) Tennessee Titans – Rondale Moore, WR, PurdueÂ
The Titans live and die with their playmakers. A.J. Brown is one of the best YAC receivers in the NFL, and Derrick Henry grinds out yards after contact. With Corey Davis headed for free agency, the Titans have the chance to add to that list. There’s no way they can pass up on Rondale Moore if he falls to 24.
The Purdue product is one of the most electrifying players to come out of college in a long time. Moore has a shot at breaking John Ross’ 40-yard dash record, and he pairs it with phenomenal play strength. He’s a physical freak, and it makes him a threat to make a big play every time he touches the ball. So why is he still on the board in this first-round NFL mock draft? Injuries cost Moore nearly all of 2019, and he has yet to play in 2020, though Purdue isn’t specifying why. Moore is an elite talent, but that only matters if he can stay on the field.
25) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
Tristan Wirfs has been phenomenal as a rookie, but Donovan Smith continues to be a weakness on the Buccaneers offensive line. Wirfs’ best fit is at right tackle, though, so if the Bucs want to replace him, they’ll likely need to turn towards the draft.
Dillon Radunz would give the Bucs one of the highest upside offensive tackles in this class. He has all the physical tools to be a cornerstone left tackle. His technique is still a big question. Radunz didn’t face the best competition making it hard to tell how exactly he’s winning reps. Is it just his athleticism, or is he strong technically as well?
26) New York Jets (Via Seattle Seahawks) – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
The New York Jets need weapons. Breshad Perriman has struggled all season, and Jamison Crowder is a potential cap casualty. Denzel Mims has had a strong start to his career, but one weapon isn’t enough.
A few weeks ago, there would be no chance that Jaylen Waddle makes it this far. He was having a breakout 2020 season and was expected to dominate the combine. Sadly, an ankle injury has ended his season, and he may not be ready by the combine. His draft stock is going to suffer as a result. When he’s healthy, Waddle is an electric weapon that could change the entire dynamic of an offense, and that’s worth the injury risk.
27) Baltimore Ravens – Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
With Matthew Judon potentially leaving after the season, the Ravens will be on the lookout for edge help. Kwity Paye is the kind of polished strong side rusher who could fill that role.
Paye is a strong and stout edge rusher. He’s not going to be the best pass rusher, but he has an elite ceiling as an edge setter. Paye is a power rusher who relies heavily on his bull rush and strength to dominate tackles. He uses his big frame and strength to occupy multiple blockers and clog lanes in the run game. The Ravens tend to like edge rushers who are strong in the run game, and Paye is the best fit left on the board in this first-round NFL mock draft.
28) Buffalo Bills – Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
Brian Winters can’t be a starting guard for the Bills in 2021. He’s one of the worst guards in the NFL and has been one of the worst guards in the NFL since his time with the Jets. Wyatt Davis should provide an immediate upgrade.
Davis is an above-average athlete with elite play strength. His technique has improved every year he’s been at Ohio State, but he hasn’t shown enough yet to compete with the other top interior offensive linemen in this class. It doesn’t hurt that he’s played in front of one of most mobile quarterbacks in college football, Justin Fields, the past two years.
29) Green Bay Packers – Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
Jaire Alexander is one of the best corners in the NFL, but the Packers have had a hard time finding anyone to play opposite him. Asante Samuel Jr. could be the guy to fill that role.
Samuel profiles as a number two cornerback in the NFL. He excels in off-man coverage, he’s a strong tackler, and possesses the athleticism needed to stay with NFL caliber receivers. However, he struggles against physicality, and his ball skills leave a lot to be desired. Samuel has the potential to be a great cover corner, but he has major weaknesses that limit his ceiling.
30) Kansas City Chiefs – Carlos Basham Jr, EDGE, Wake ForrestÂ
The Kansas City Chiefs have a problem at edge rusher. Frank Clark is one of the better pass rushers in the game, but he’s poor against the run. They need a polished strong side edge to make up for his deficiencies.
Carlos Basham Jr. is the perfect fit. Basham isn’t a star in the making. He lacks elite athleticism, and he doesn’t have the play strength to make up for it. Like his cousin Tarell Basham, Carlos is a strong technical player. He has an array of pass rush moves, and he can set the edge in the run game. He’s the perfect player to play across Frank Clark.
31) New Orleans Saints – Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State
The Saints are going to lose Marcus Williams after the 2020 season. Arguably the NFL’s best deep safety, Williams is in line for a huge payday that the Saints and their $-94.5 million in cap space won’t be able to give him. That leaves a gaping hole in their defense.
Hamsah Nasirildeen has all the physical tools an NFL team could want. He’s an above-average athlete, has elite strength at his position, and natural instincts that could rival any secondary player in this class. However, he tore his ACL at the end of the 2019 season and won’t play in 2020. That’s an issue for a player who was questioned in coverage, especially his ball skills. Still, Nasirildeen has all the tools to play the versatile safety/slot corner/linebacker role that has taken over the NFL. If the Saints are going to lose an elite safety, they may as well take a risk trying to grab another one.
32) Pittsburgh Steelers – Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
The Steelers have few weaknesses; they are undefeated after all. One area they could improve is tight end. Eric Ebron is a potential cap casualty, and the Steelers will need to replace his production. Pat Freiermuth is the best all-around tight end in the class. He’s a good receiver and an elite blocker at the position. Freiermuth would be an upgrade over Ebron while only costing a rookie contract, and his high-floor makes him a relatively low-risk prospect. That all sounds great for a Steelers team looking to improve on the best team in the NFL.
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